From Disaster (灾难) to Unity (团结): How Altadena Recovers Together

Two months ago, the Eaton Fire tore through my beloved Altadena, consuming everything in its path—grand estates, historic Black-owned homes, and the dreams of young families just starting to put down roots.

And yet, now, even in tragedy, something extraordinary is happening. Before the fire, we were neighbors in the way many modern communities are—exchanging polite nods at the grocery store but living separate lives.

Now, we are a community forged in crisis, bound by a shared determination not just to survive, but to rebuild our lives together. Because recovery isn’t just about logistics. It’s about the community we create in the process.

How Being Chinese Informs My Leadership

When the fire tore through, I just happened to be the admin of the Altadena country club’s pickleball WhatsApp group.

Overnight, that little chat became our emergency evacuation network.

The official evacuation orders came much too late—hours after the fire had already swept through and burned so many of our homes to the ground.

So in the absence of clear direction, we took matters into our own hands. We tracked the fire’s movement. We shared updates. We held space for each other as nearly all of us were evacuated—and one by one, watched our homes burn.

Quickly, we opened the chat to all our neighbors. What started as a group for pickleball players became a 1,300+ member network of displaced survivors.

Today, we are the Eaton Fire Survivors Network—a community built by and for displaced survivors. We compare notes on insurance carriers. We bring in expert voices. We trade hard-won advice and emotional support. Because in moments like these, knowledge is power. And no one should have to walk this trauma alone.

I never imagined I’d go from managing a pickleball group chat to leading a disaster relief network. But in a way, my Chinese upbringing prepared me for this moment.

从小, 我们被教导做人要有贡献精神
(Cóngxiǎo, wǒmen bèi jiàodǎo zuòrén yào yǒu gòngxiàn jīngshén)
"From a young age, we are taught to have a spirit of contribution."

I was taught that leadership isn’t about speaking up or standing out. It’s about lifting up the community, about showing up for others.

Even when the community is one born of tragedy. Or perhaps, especially then.

Because when we lose everything, the only way forward is together. Now, after the fire, I’m surrounded by new friends with whom I can rebuild my life.

Community isn’t just something we have—it’s something we build. And for that, I am profoundly grateful.

Eight Moves, Still Not Home

Like so many in our community, my family is still without a home. Finding housing in L.A. was already a challenge. Now? It can feel impossible. Apartments that rented for $4,000 before the pandemic are now listed at $12,000—illegal, yet happening. Even when families manage to secure a place, it’s often unfurnished. And many of us have lost everything.

For now, we move from home to home, staying with generous friends. We’re deeply grateful—but the reality is, hosting long-term isn’t easy for anyone. So, we try not to overstay.

Next weekend, we’re packing up again, for our 8th temporary home, with two teen girls and two cats in tow. We’re exhausted.

But even as we search for stability, we’ve found something else. A community that refuses to let each other fall.

Different Cultures Define Leadership Differently

For years as a Fortune 500 CEO headhunter, I saw how companies choose leaders—choosing those who display confidence, and assertiveness, and who command attention.

Later, working in China, I saw a different model. Leadership there is quieter, more collective—less about speaking up, more about:

✔️ Listening first
✔️ Acting with care
✔️ Building strong communities

In Chinese, we say:

行胜于言
(Xíng shèng yú yán)
”Actions speak louder than words." 

But in Corporate America, this Chinese leadership style often gets us pigeonholed—as worker bees, NOT leaders, as I detail in my Harvard Business Review article on this topic.

Truth is: Western style, Chinese style, neither style has all the answers. That’s why the best teams come from a mix of leadership styles.

Altadena Is Rising 

It took a disaster of biblical proportions for many of us to truly know our neighbors. Now, there is no going back.

Yes, this is a moment of heartbreak. But it is also a moment of hope.

🌱 Hope in the resilience of neighbors standing together.
🌱 Hope in the power of community-driven solutions.
🌱 Hope that from these ashes, something even stronger will emerge.

Know Someone Displaced By the Eaton Fire?

We warmly welcome all displaced survivors—whether or not you lost your home—to join the Eaton Fire Survivors Network. Join 1,300+ of your neighbors for mutual support, shared knowledge, and expert resources to help us all recover faster and stronger.

If you know someone impacted by the fire, please forward this post and invite them to reach out to me directly. No one should have to navigate this alone.

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